16/4 white oak

[sawwood]

 I am going to make a 4 poaster bed and i need some 16/4
 white oak. I have found some white oak pallet stock,green
 and would like to ask if i will have any trouble turning this
 oak to rought size, then kiln drying it in a solar kiln? The
 kiln will be just big enought to hold  200BF at a time. I am
 also going to have some oak milled to help fill the kiln.
 Any help would be handy.

  Sawwood

[Ron Wenrich]

I don't think I would use pallet stock for turning.  There are too many defects that could cause you problems.  I would opt for clearer stock.

I don't do any turning and know even less, but I would imagine you would want to use kiln dry stock.  Then you want to get it straight on a jointer, then turn it.  At least, that's how Norm does it.   :D

I've also seen where they glue up 4/4 into a 16/4 piece and then turn it.  It would be more cost effective, and you wouldn't have to wait as long to get the material dry.

[sawwood]

 I don't mind the knots in the oak as most of the furinture
 i have made for the house is #3 comm wood. I looked at
 some of the pallet wood and i could git enought that are
 quarter sawen. As fot the time to dry i don't mind the time
 it would take. How long do you think it will take to dry?

 I tryed gluing up some test pices and the grain didn't match.
 That is why i am looking for 16/4 stock.

  Sawwood

[CHARLIE]

There's no problem rough turning the oak before drying but be sure you leave enough to true it up once it's dry.

I would make the rough turned pieces longer than needed in case the ends split some. I'm not sure if it is proper to seal the endgrain before kiln drying  or not.

My guess is that the post would take about the same time to dry as a 3" X 3" stock.....whatever the time for that is....  :